Scientific American.com
How Jeff Koons’s Lunar Artwork Could Outlast All of Humanity
How long can humanity’s artifacts endure on the lunar surface? A new installation from artist Jeff Koons is inadvertently putting this question to the test
NASA’s Artemis Astronauts Will Help Grow Crops on the Moon—And Much More
When astronauts return to the moon later this decade, they’ll bring along science experiments to study moonquakes, lunar water ice and extraterrestrial agriculture
AI Can Transform the Classroom Just Like the Calculator
AI can better education, not threaten it, if we learn some lessons from the adoption of the calculator into the classroom
The Evolution of a Big, Ugly Cry
Uncontrollable sobbing is uniquely human, and it may be our emotions running out of our faces, a way to connect us with other people
Neither Plants nor Animals, These Ocean Organisms Protect Their Ecosystems against Heat Waves
Mixotrophs, which have characteristics of both animals and plants, could help blunt the effects of marine heat waves on ocean ecosystems
How a New AI Model Helps Volcanic History Rise from the Ashes
Volcano detectives use artificial intelligence to sleuth out ancient secrets in Alaska.
Overconfidence Can Blindside Science and Society Alike. Here's How Not to Get Fooled
The tale of how the "backfire effect" ultimately, itself, backfired, and what scientists can learn from being wrong
Online Age Verification Laws Could Do More Harm Than Good
More U.S. states are requiring online ID checks. A proposed French strategy aims to balance child safety with users’ privacy rights
Prostate Cancer Advances Make Late-Stage Disease More Treatable
Major discoveries during the past 10 years have transformed prostate cancer treatment, enabling it to proceed even for the most advanced form of the disease
Turning Down the Noise Around You Improves Health in Many Ways
Experts describe ways to turn down the volume, from earbuds to smartphone apps that detect harmful noise levels
Everyone Will Have Fewer Relatives in the Future
Changing demographics mean shrinking families and more older relatives in future decades
May 2024: Science History from 50, 100 and 150 Years Ago
Pavlov’s dogs; Mercury’s dark side
Fossil and Living Birds Reveal the Dazzling Biology of Feathers
Reducing noise improves health, JWST’s galaxies change astronomy, and there’s new hope for people with prostate cancer
The Dark Side of Nostalgia for Wild, Untouched Places
A novel about the tensions between nature and modernity, animal social networks, and more books out now
In Matters of Scientific Debate, Follow the Houdini Rule
Scientific expertise is typically limited and specific. When evaluating scientific claims, look to the relevant experts
‘Smart Gloves’ Teach Piano Playing through Touch
A high-tech pair of gloves can help make learning instruments and other hands-on activities easier
We Need to Make Cities Less Car-Dependent
Reducing the need for car travel is better for health, the environment and public safety
Walks in Green Parks Mean Stronger Immune Systems and Better Mental Health
Contact with nature improves physical and mental health, but greenery is not easily reached by all
How Schools Can Help Kids Reduce Racism and Prejudice
Making schools more welcoming for all can make for a fair and just society
How Our Thoughts Shape the Way Spoken Words Evolve
What makes a word survive or go extinct?
